relimw
Sep 25, 02:34 PM
Look at the new requirements page...
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/
Apple must have tweaked it VERY much. Will make it available to more people based on the new hardware and expanded video support.
Even the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra and Intel Mac Mini.
And it still won't run on my G4 mini :p Well, at least more people will be able to make use of :) And since you didn't ask, yes I use my mini as just a quick check system, which works fine with Lightroom. I suppose since I own Aperture, and this is a free update, I'll try it on my Mac Pro :)
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/
Apple must have tweaked it VERY much. Will make it available to more people based on the new hardware and expanded video support.
Even the NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra and Intel Mac Mini.
And it still won't run on my G4 mini :p Well, at least more people will be able to make use of :) And since you didn't ask, yes I use my mini as just a quick check system, which works fine with Lightroom. I suppose since I own Aperture, and this is a free update, I'll try it on my Mac Pro :)
bpaluzzi
May 4, 04:35 AM
Congratulations, you understood the main purpose of the iPad. Add Plants vs Zombies, Shredder Chess HD and a Comic Book reader and you've essentially discovered everything that can be done with the gadget. For everything else, it's too big to be a truly mobile device like a smartphone and too weak and restricted to replace a real computer.
But yes, at least the ads are great and really work the "magic". The only problem is that you won't stay in Wonderland with your iPad, and in the real world, it's just a nice toy for a couple of minutes but not really good for anything.
Really? This is your opinion? So you think you're smarter than everyone else that's successfully using this device?
Wow.
But yes, at least the ads are great and really work the "magic". The only problem is that you won't stay in Wonderland with your iPad, and in the real world, it's just a nice toy for a couple of minutes but not really good for anything.
Really? This is your opinion? So you think you're smarter than everyone else that's successfully using this device?
Wow.
saberahul
Mar 18, 05:18 PM
... another thread turned into a bash fight.
gdeusthewhizkid
May 2, 11:51 AM
my iphone 4 doesn't connect to my wifi network anymore.. I hope this update fixes it... damn iphone 4 ..
more...
840quadra
Jan 5, 09:29 AM
There is also no guarantee that the link will be active during the keynote (aka live) . I made the mistake of Digging WWDC 2006's QT link. It got to the front page, but it wasn't live..
I was :o
I was :o
zac4mac
Oct 22, 09:49 AM
You guys with AAPL, hang on to it... I wish I still had mine, but I cashed out last year. 1525 shares paid off my Buell, cards and a house so I'm not grumbling. Only suck part was 75% of the sale price was profit(long term) and CapGains ate my lunch. IRS and State got an extra $14k last April. Ouch.
Hopefully '07 will be a good ride for y'all.
Z
Hopefully '07 will be a good ride for y'all.
Z
more...
grmatt
Apr 5, 03:11 PM
I knew there'd be a lot of "wuts" but this makes sense. If you don't like it, don't download it. I'm sure plenty of people will and it only adds value to their advertisers.
Honestly though, some of the ads are really well done. Maybe I just appreciate them more than some others being that I am kind of in the industry.
Honestly though, some of the ads are really well done. Maybe I just appreciate them more than some others being that I am kind of in the industry.
quigleybc
Sep 9, 07:18 PM
George didn't lie about anything under oath :o
Except for having American's best interests at heart. And sending troops into war only if it is absolutely neccesary.
Except for having American's best interests at heart. And sending troops into war only if it is absolutely neccesary.
more...
rhett7660
Apr 21, 12:09 PM
Could have been worse guys, they could have put in a Facebook "Like" button. :D
They actually one upped Facebook. We also have a dislike button!
They actually one upped Facebook. We also have a dislike button!
Belly-laughs
Oct 3, 04:26 PM
Hmm...interesting. Adding wireless capability directly to the iPod would make it more similar to the Zune. I wonder if they could add Bonjour technology to really go head-to-head. Except instead of the stupid (play 3 times) thing that the Zune has, you could actually browse and play shared playlists from other people's iPods (work exactly the same as shared playlists from iTunes now do...).
I believe the scope of a wireless iPod, or any other mass distributed wireless product, will go further than music and playlists. It�s already implemented in museums, etc. as downloadable tour guides; when you enter a town you can get your hands on local maps, local news, history; we might soon see ad boards that will allow you to download more info on products and services – there are endless possibilities.
Closer to the living room I feel iTV needs wireless communication with other Apple products; the iPod or iPhone to control it, even provide media; iPod Hi-Fi to deliver the groove.
I believe the scope of a wireless iPod, or any other mass distributed wireless product, will go further than music and playlists. It�s already implemented in museums, etc. as downloadable tour guides; when you enter a town you can get your hands on local maps, local news, history; we might soon see ad boards that will allow you to download more info on products and services – there are endless possibilities.
Closer to the living room I feel iTV needs wireless communication with other Apple products; the iPod or iPhone to control it, even provide media; iPod Hi-Fi to deliver the groove.
more...
sethypoo
Oct 4, 01:19 AM
I really want Apple to announce the iPhone and preview Leopard more. I recently bought a MacBook Pro, and am interested in some new software.
I hope the iPhone comes out with Verizon, as I feel their service is SO much better than Cingular's. And their customer service has been stellar so far in my experience.
I hope the iPhone comes out with Verizon, as I feel their service is SO much better than Cingular's. And their customer service has been stellar so far in my experience.
Carlanga
Mar 19, 11:57 AM
...I personally have an iPhone 4, I've had it for ages and love it. ...
http://gifjes.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/hahaha.gif
and the way you express yourself practically shows me why people 'diss' all your gadgets.
http://gifjes.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/hahaha.gif
and the way you express yourself practically shows me why people 'diss' all your gadgets.
more...
belvdr
Mar 16, 10:43 AM
Which is the entire problem with Android. And which is why you will never, ever, see any single Android device outsell the iPhone.
What difference does it make if one Android device outsells the iPhone? Many of the features are in the OS, not the hardware.
What difference does it make if one Android device outsells the iPhone? Many of the features are in the OS, not the hardware.
quagmire
Dec 4, 07:55 PM
People who do that take away the fun of the game. They are more worried about their achievements or stats then having fun. That is why I can't stand campers.
more...
one1
May 4, 10:32 AM
It's basically the ultimate "access" machine. Just yesterday I used my phone as a dictionary, store, terminal to enterprise software, link to external contact database. (also made some phone calls) iPad would be similar. Lookup, lookup, lookup. Web browsing is covered under that, too.
One thing the iPad brings that any phone cannot is a level of professionalism. In the companies I deal with, using your phone during a meeting looks questionable, like you're fooling around. Using a tablet or laptop to do the exact same lookup of whatever would be ok. It's a little silly, but that's the vibe I get currently.
This is not to say everyone has use for it. I'm happy with the phone, I'm not in that many meetings.
What, you don't carry a projector in your back pocket? :D Even with the retina display I feel like my i4 is just too small to really "show anyone" anything on. It's almost like a toy coming out of the pocket when you are in a serious situation. The iPad produces a more serious tone to it. Still, if at all possible I use my iPhone much more because it doesn't take both hands to manage it. There will always be the size advantage/disadvantage between the two.
One thing the iPad brings that any phone cannot is a level of professionalism. In the companies I deal with, using your phone during a meeting looks questionable, like you're fooling around. Using a tablet or laptop to do the exact same lookup of whatever would be ok. It's a little silly, but that's the vibe I get currently.
This is not to say everyone has use for it. I'm happy with the phone, I'm not in that many meetings.
What, you don't carry a projector in your back pocket? :D Even with the retina display I feel like my i4 is just too small to really "show anyone" anything on. It's almost like a toy coming out of the pocket when you are in a serious situation. The iPad produces a more serious tone to it. Still, if at all possible I use my iPhone much more because it doesn't take both hands to manage it. There will always be the size advantage/disadvantage between the two.
Music-Man
Sep 12, 07:33 AM
For those who a little confused about Disney.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney#Motion_pictures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney#Motion_pictures
more...
Santabean2000
Oct 4, 07:08 AM
This is the Mac mini of houses at best.
Wow. Some of you really are hooked on the bigger is better buzz.
Seriously, get out and see some of the world. Perspective people. The world is NOT just the US.
Anyone tootin' on these forums (including myself) can consider themselves truly blessed.
A Mac mini house..? Hardly. It's a mansion by any worldly measure.
Wow. Some of you really are hooked on the bigger is better buzz.
Seriously, get out and see some of the world. Perspective people. The world is NOT just the US.
Anyone tootin' on these forums (including myself) can consider themselves truly blessed.
A Mac mini house..? Hardly. It's a mansion by any worldly measure.
seanf
Apr 4, 01:48 PM
Now that just doesn't work for me either. It's saying I'm in Oxford. :confused:It's not your location, but the location of the device that gave you your IP address.
Sean :)
Sean :)
Aeolius
Oct 19, 06:07 PM
I am the first person to coin this term: iHome
Ummmm.....
http://regmedia.co.uk/2006/11/13/ihome_ih26_1.jpg
Ummmm.....
http://regmedia.co.uk/2006/11/13/ihome_ih26_1.jpg
Bonte
Jan 5, 04:50 PM
Thanks for the service MR! :)
This time i really want to watch the keynote unspoiled, its going to be hard to resist all the Mac sites but this time i'm going for it.
This time i really want to watch the keynote unspoiled, its going to be hard to resist all the Mac sites but this time i'm going for it.
bearbo
Jan 12, 02:19 AM
but because it is such a big leap in technology.
who are you kidding? what part of iphone is not previously existed in technology? yay it has a nice UI, like all other apple products, but the hardware?
as revolutionary as the iPhone
remind me, again, what's revolutionary about iPhone?
who are you kidding? what part of iphone is not previously existed in technology? yay it has a nice UI, like all other apple products, but the hardware?
as revolutionary as the iPhone
remind me, again, what's revolutionary about iPhone?
dXTC
Sep 28, 01:28 PM
The house is a little bigger than those drawings depict, as there are stairs leading to a downstairs that is not shown. Probably to the 5th bedroom that is mentioned, likely a downstairs guest room of sorts or something.
Agree with everyone else though. Simple, not over the top. I like.
I like, too. I noticed the stairway leading downward as well. Could be a guest room or workout/fitness room.
In addition, I would wager that there will be a small server room/alcove down there: a Mac mini or Mac Pro server (mini is more likely), with a couple of external hard drives (Drobo, perhaps?), wired to the latest AEBS and positioned directly underneath the living room. This would allow running Ethernet up to the living room TV, equipped of course with the new :apple:tv. That provides a solid Gigabit connection for streaming movies, and plenty of WiFi bandwidth for the master suite. An AirPort Express, set to Bridge mode, will likely be placed near the three smaller bedrooms for better Wi-Fi coverage at that end of the house.
Agree with everyone else though. Simple, not over the top. I like.
I like, too. I noticed the stairway leading downward as well. Could be a guest room or workout/fitness room.
In addition, I would wager that there will be a small server room/alcove down there: a Mac mini or Mac Pro server (mini is more likely), with a couple of external hard drives (Drobo, perhaps?), wired to the latest AEBS and positioned directly underneath the living room. This would allow running Ethernet up to the living room TV, equipped of course with the new :apple:tv. That provides a solid Gigabit connection for streaming movies, and plenty of WiFi bandwidth for the master suite. An AirPort Express, set to Bridge mode, will likely be placed near the three smaller bedrooms for better Wi-Fi coverage at that end of the house.
caspersoong
Apr 26, 06:47 AM
I think it must be a prototype. I won't get too excited though.
Mattie Num Nums
Apr 8, 02:49 PM
I'm a current employee at Best Buy and thought I'd offer my two cents on a few issues.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
As a former BBY employee I can tell you a few things that are flawed.
#1 no former or current Best Buy employee would call themselves BBemployee, BBYEmployee would seem more likely. I know its stupid but it is the culture of Best Buy to shorten it to BBY.
#2 You would have no clue if Best Buy was in trouble. As a simple Blue Shirt or even a Black Shirt you would not have this information passed down to you.
#3 Your rant show that you either hate Best Buy for personal reasons or possibly a former employee who has a huge vendetta against the company.
#4 Your rant does nothing to support this discussion.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
As a former BBY employee I can tell you a few things that are flawed.
#1 no former or current Best Buy employee would call themselves BBemployee, BBYEmployee would seem more likely. I know its stupid but it is the culture of Best Buy to shorten it to BBY.
#2 You would have no clue if Best Buy was in trouble. As a simple Blue Shirt or even a Black Shirt you would not have this information passed down to you.
#3 Your rant show that you either hate Best Buy for personal reasons or possibly a former employee who has a huge vendetta against the company.
#4 Your rant does nothing to support this discussion.
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